Velevski v the Queen S197/2000

The High Court of Australia heard an application for special leave to appeal in the matter of *Velevski v the Queen*. The applicant, Mr Velevski, sought leave to appeal against a decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeal, which had dismissed his appeal against his conviction for a number of offences.

The central legal issue before the High Court was whether the trial judge had erred in admitting evidence of prior convictions of the applicant. Specifically, the court was required to consider whether the prejudicial effect of this evidence outweighed its probative value, and whether the jury directions provided by the trial judge were adequate to mitigate any potential prejudice.

Gleeson CJ, in chambers, granted special leave to appeal. His Honour noted that the admissibility of evidence of prior convictions, particularly where it might suggest a propensity to commit the offences charged, is a matter of significant legal importance. The court will need to examine the application of the principles governing the admission of such evidence and the adequacy of jury directions in preventing unfair prejudice.